Spring lock lamp holder



S 1953 J. A. WASSELLE 2,653,784

SPRING LOCK LAMP HOLDER Filed Feb. 8, 1949 INVENTOR. VOSEPH' 4. MSSELLE Afforn ey.

Patented Sept. 29, 1953 UNI TED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRING LOCK. LAMP HOLDER.

Joseph A. Wasselle, Queens" Village, N; Y; Application February s, 1949, Serial No. $5,211

1 Claim.

This invention relatestoa spring lock lamp holder.

It is an object of the prsent invention to provide a spring lock lamp holder adapted to be used with fixtures for securing the fluorescent lamp element intermediate its connection with the fixture through its terminals wherein the lamp element Will be securely held upon the fixture and easily removed therefrom at times when the same is to be replaced with another lamp.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a spring lock lamp holder which can be readily inserted into a slot in the fixture adapted to receive the same and made secure therein by a simple fastening screw, which is inexpensive to manufacture, is spring urged onto the lamp, easy to assemble, adapted for adjustment upon a fixture to properly receive the lamp element and efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a perspective view of a lamp fixture having the spring lock lamp holder of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the lamp holder.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lamp holder taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the lamp holder taken on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the fixture having the slot into which the lamp holder is placed and secured.

Referring now to the figures, I0 represents a base of a lamp fixture adapted to be connected to the ceiling of a room in which the lamps are being installed and onto which there is assembled a casing I! containing such equipment as is necessary for the effecting of the operation of the lamp and brackets l2 and [3 for supporting semi-circular fluorescent lamp elements 14 and I5. These lamp elements need to be supported intermediate their length in order that they will not become disconnected from the supporting brackets l2 and I3 and for this purpose there is provided my spring lock lamp holder I6. There is one of these holders at each side of the base I 0.

This lamp holder comprises a top plate I! having laterally spaced threaded openings I8 for receiving fastening screws I9 which are extended through laterally extending notches 2|, opposing each other, and extending respectively from the opposite sides of a large opening 22 in a base i0.

,is Welded. to the. plate l1. and houses the end of a latch or pivot arm 24 carried on a pivot member 25 extending between the sides of the casing 23. This arm has a shoulder 26 adapted to abut the plate 21 as shown in Fig. 3, to limit the pivotal movement of the arm. The plate l1 has an opening upwardly through which a lug 21 is extended for connection with a tension spring 28 which is connected also to the plate l1 through an opening 29, Fig. 3. This spring normally urges the arm 24 so that the shoulder 26 abuts the plate IT.

The arm 24 has a curved portion 3| adapted to partially surround the lamp element and to hold it elevated upon the base support In.

Each of the lamp elements l4 and I5 have the usual terminal rings 33 with projections adapted to enter the brackets l2 and I3 respectively. These terminal connections, however, are insufilcient to hold the lamp element intermediate its ends and hence the lamp holder of the present invention provides for a final and secure means for maintaining the lamp element in place and against outward movement from the brackets I2 and I3.

The casing 23 has a long slit 34 through which the arm 24 pivots. The lamp holder is so arranged that the curved portion 3| of the arm 24 lies externally of the lamp element. To remove the lamp element, a downward pressure is effected with the same so that the arm 24 and the curved portion 3| thereof will pivot outwardly to release the lamp element. To return the lamp element, the arm 24 can be pivoted outwardly a slight distance to seat the lamp element in the curved portion 3|. Both operations are simple, safe and easy and can be effected with a snap or spring action.

To install the lamp holder'in the base l0, it is extended through the opening 22 from the top or inner face of the base N. The screws or fastening elements l9 are extended upwardly through the notches 2| and into the threaded holes I8 of the plate I1. The holder can be adjusted slightly in the opening 22 and with relation to the notches in order that the curved portion 3| of the arm 24 will be properly aligned for receiving the lamp element.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended 0 am.

What is claimed is:

A self-contained spring lock fluorescent lamp holder adapted for attachment to a lamp fixture by installation through an opening in the fixture with opposed notches comprising a top plate, a casing secured to the top plate, said casing having a depressed portion with an elongated slot therein and parallel side walls with flanges extending respectively outwardly therefrom and connected to the top plate, a pivot arm extending through the longitudinally extended slot 0! the depressed portion of the casing, a pivot pin extending between the side walls of the depressed portion supporting the pivot arm, said pivot arm having a curved portion thereon for receiving a fluorescent tube, said top plate having an elongated slot therein and a hole spaced therefrom, said pivot arm having an upstanding lug thereon, a tension spring extending between the upstanding lug and the hole in the top plate normally urging the pivot arm about its pivot member and its curved portion toward the fluorescent tube, said pivot arm having a shoulder thereon engage- 4 able with the top plate to limit the pivotal movement of the pivot arm toward the fluorescent tube, said pivot arm being pivotable against the action of the tension spring to release the fluorescent tube, and said top plate having means accessible through the opposed notches of the fixture adapted to secure the holder to a lamp fixture.

JOSEPH A. WASSELLE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,198,008 Clive Sept. 12, 1916 2,419,965 Pieper May 6, 1947 2,441,399 De Reamer et al. May 11, 1948 2,492,764 Pistey Dec. 27, 1949 2,534,955 Dazley Dec. 19, 1950 OTHER REFERENCES Lighting and Lamps, August 1947, pages 58 and 79. (Div. 65.) 

